Lidle, Stocker to lead roundtable

Communities are coming together as a first step in regional collaboration efforts.

STAFF REPORT

The Mahoning County Metro Leaders Roundtable has named Poland Township Trustee Robert Lidle Jr. as chairman and Struthers Mayor Terry Stocker as vice chairman.

The group was formed last March to begin a dialogue on regional collaboration among elected public officials.

The roundtable brought Youngstown, its adjacent communities and Mahoning County officials together as a first step in regional collaboration efforts that include discussions on group purchasing, utility aggregation, health insurance consortiums, IT cost sharing, 911 consolidation, storm water management districts and countywide land use planning.

Lidle is serving his second term as Poland trustee, a trustee with the Western Reserve Fire District, and a board member of CASTLO. He is employed with Dickey Electric and is a journeyman electrician with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 64. Lidle formerly worked as a staff member for Ohio State Sen. Harry Meshel, as a political director for Ohio Attorney General Lee Fisher and as the executive director of the Franklin County Democratic Party.

Stocker was elected to his first term as mayor in 2007. He had previously served as a councilman-at-large and 4th Ward councilman. He is a retired Dominion East Ohio technician.

Others serving on the roundtable: Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams, Austintown Township Trustee Chairman David Ditzler, Boardman Township Trustee Chairwoman Robyn Gallitto, Canfield Township Trustee Chairman Randy Brashen; Canfield Mayor William Kay; Poland Mayor Tim Sicafuse; Campbell Mayor John Dill; Lowellville Mayor James Iudiciani; Coitsville Township Trustee Chairwoman Phyllis Johnson; Mahoning County Commissioner Anthony Traficanti and County Administrator George Tablack.

Providing support for the group’s work are Tony Paglia, vice president for government affairs, Regional Chamber; Jason Loree, Boardman Township administrator; Mike Dockry, Austintown Township administrator; and Sarah Lown, Youngstown’s development incentive director.